Mogao Cave 296: Prince Sujata Jataka

CHINA, Gansu, Dunhuang; Northern Zhou dynasty

Painted in the center of the north wall, this illustration is based on a story in the Sutra of the Wise and the Foolish. The narrative progresses chronologically from left to right as follows: the yaksas warn a king of a revolt; he escapes from his palace with his wife and his son Prince Sujata; with food supplies exhausted, the king is tempted to kill the queen to eat her flesh; to prevent this, the young prince cuts the flesh from his own body to sustain his parents, who then part with him; Sakra transforms into a tiger to test the prince’s determination; the fearless prince is rewarded by having his body restored; and a neighboring kingdom welcomes the king, queen, and prince, and sends troops to suppress the revolt. The right side of the mural has been damaged.